IDB, UG roll out mental health & leadership training to strengthen prison workforce

An Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-backed initiative, in partnership with the University of Guyana (UG), is set to strengthen the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) by enhancing workforce capacity and delivering leadership and communication training as part of efforts to modernise the country’s security architecture.

The partnership has led to the launch of accredited mental health and strategic leadership courses.

The initiative stems from an extensive research process, which included 35 semi-structured interviews with prison officers, as well as a workshop attended by 54 officers. Between 2018 and 2022, the research team conducted eight visits, allowing for first-hand observations and the examination of historical data.

Providing a comprehensive overview of the findings, Dr Mellissa Ifill, a senior faculty member in the Faculty of Social Sciences at UG, highlighted that these issues significantly impact officers’ well-being.

As a result, the newly introduced courses are designed not only to support the mental health of officers but also to equip them with the skills needed for strategic leadership and the proper treatment of inmates.

Findings from the study revealed a range of stressors and trauma experienced by prison officers, collectively described as “prison officers’ pain”. These challenges were linked to several factors, including poor working conditions and postings far from their families.

The findings revealed a range of challenging conditions within the prison system, particularly relating to the working environment of officers.

According to the report, officers were seen to have long work and demanding shifts, with some indicating that they had gone as long as two weeks without relief. This has resulted in inadequate time for rest and recreation, especially for those stationed far from their homes.

In fact, several officers noted that they were relocated to work shortly after beginning to establish their homes, forcing them to live and work at considerable distances.

The study also highlighted a lack of psychiatric and psychological support to help officers cope with the trauma associated with their duties. It was noted that there is only one welfare officer serving more than 500 prison staff, pointing to a significant gap in support services.

Dr Ifill noted that many existing training programmes are generic and often derived from contexts that do not reflect the realities of the Caribbean region.

However, the newly developed courses are tailored specifically to the local context, ensuring they address the unique needs and circumstances of the GPS.

As part of this effort, collaboration led to the enhancement of the Corrections Communication and Administration Programme (CCAP), which comprises multiple levels.

“There are a lot of generic courses out there that might come from context and circumstances that are not endemic to us in the region. These courses are based upon our reality, and so they satisfy and they suit our specific needs and our context. And so we worked with them to enhance it, which was the corrections, communication and administration programme, which we call the CCAP programme, that has multiple levels. And importantly, officers will be required to pass these before they are promoted.”

Additionally, concerns were raised about inadequate pay and allowances across the system. Officers described the job as highly risky, emphasising that the compensation does not reflect the dangers they face daily. Some questioned what support their families would receive in the event of their death while on duty.

Dr Ifill explained that training will be conducted in batches of 30 officers, with the initial 60 officers already receiving training funded by the IDB.

“The idea is that all prison officers will have this skill, every single officer. While the training will be done in a phased manner, every officer within the system will ultimately be trained as a mental health first responder. This will transform them from being purely custodial officers to responders who are capable of identifying and flagging mental health and substance abuse disorders, contributing to safer prison environments,” she said.

She added that while there are costs associated with the programme, there are significant institutional benefits to be derived.

“At the end of the day, participants will receive a certificate. These are standalone courses, but individuals will also receive four academic credits. If an individual is pursuing a programme at the university, this course can be used as an elective or allow them to be exempted from one,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim, expressed confidence that this initiative will ultimately strengthen leadership within the prison system in Guyana and across the Caribbean region.

“In a nutshell, the Guyana Prison Service is seeking to align itself with the wider Caribbean – not just to stand out, but to be part of a unified regional system. Just as there is synergy within institutions like the American Corrections Association, we want to be part of that for the Caribbean. The Guyana Prison Service is committed to this process. We will collaborate, share resources, and work with all stakeholders who share the vision of a unified Caribbean,” he said.